All three criminal charges against Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges have been dropped by the state of North Carolina, according to court documents reportedly obtained by ESPN.
The three charges — for a domestic violence protective order violation, misdemeanor child abuse and injury to personal property — were all dismissed due to “lack of sufficient evidence,” according to the Mecklenburg (N.C). County court records, per ESPN.
Bridges, 25, had been set to appear in court on Feb. 20 on the charges that stem from an October incident in which he reportedly threw billiard balls at the vehicle of his ex-partner while their children were inside, causing dents to the car and a smashed windshield.
The court documents reportedly cited conflicting statements by Bridges’ ex-partner as a factor in the dismissal, stating that “given the lack of sufficient evidence to overcome the inconsistency of these accounts, the state would not be successful at trial.”
Bridges’ alleged actions from the October incident were initially charged as a violation of a domestic violence restraining order against his ex-partner resulting from a June 2022 incident in Los Angeles where Bridges was charged with multiple felony counts of domestic violence.
Two of those charges were dropped, and Bridges ultimately pled no contest to a felony charge of injuring a child’s parent. He was able to avoid jail time but was given three years of probation and required to complete counseling, parenting classes, community service and narcotics testing, and was barred from owning a firearm. He was also ordered to stay away from the victim.
“The evidence was going to show Miles was innocent and we were going to win a trial,” Bridges’ attorney, Allen Brotherton told ESPN Tuesday. “Our local prosecutor has great integrity, and people should appreciate the courage to do the right thing.”
Related to the June 2022 arrest, in April 2023 Bridges was given a 30-game suspension by the NBA, with 20 games credited for time served. He served 10 games of the suspension at the beginning of this season.
In 42 games this season, Bridges is averaging 21.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists.
The Hornets had reportedly been discussing potential trades for Bridges ahead of the league’s trade deadline last week, but Bridges ultimately refused to waive his veto rights against any trade, and again expressed his desire to remain with the Hornets. He is a free agent at the end of this season.
The Hornets next host the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.
–Field Level Media